Viewpoints: School, partners a great fit in getting kids in shape
Published: Sunday, Jun. 19, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 5E
As a teacher, I see the impact physical activity has on the health and academic success of my students, which is why I believe all California schools must prioritize physical activity. Schools should require a minimum of 30 minutes a day of vigorous physical activity led by a certified physical education instructor. As it stands now, vigorous physical activity accounts for a mere four minutes of every 30 minutes of physical education.
Elementary school students in our state are required by law to participate in 200 minutes of physical education every 10 instructional days, the equivalent of 20 minutes a school day. However, several national organizations recommend between 300 and 400 minutes every two weeks or roughly 30 to 40 minutes per school day. Currently, less than 50 percent of California elementary schools are meeting existing requirements and nationally, less than 4 percent of elementary schools provide daily physical education to students.As reported in The Bee, only 28.7 percent of California's fifth-graders passed all fitness criteria in